Starting device for internal-combustion engines



Get. 9, 1923. N 1,47%447 S. JENCICK STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 11, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /22 wmwQiiozmeys SJENCICK STARTINGv DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINESFiled June 11. 1920 2 Sheets-Shee t 2 Amwaior M4 3 difazfzwya' PatentedOct. 9, 1923'.

UNITED STATES s'rnrnnn .nmcrcx, or CLEVELAND, onrmnssrslvon TO eusrnvu'sA. SCHANZE, or

PATENT. OFFICE.- I

CLEVELAND, OHIO.

STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.-

Application filed June 11, 1920. Serial No. 388,196.

of starting devices embodying an intermediate pinion having planetary orrolling motion around a startin pinion into and out of mesh with theengme gear.

The object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism forcontrolling the motion of the intermediate pinion into and 2 out of meshwith the engine gear, said mechanism including means for retardingrotation of the intermediate pinion upon its own axis to cause it to bemoved in its planetary path by the torque of the starting pinio intomesh with the engine gear, together with means for producing positiverollingmotion of the intermediate pinion as it moves into mesh toprevent clashing effect should the teeth engage radially end to end and:thereby insure full meshing relation for the driving effect.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means forrelieving the retarding effect upon the intermediate pinion after it isfully i mesh and prevent the application of the retarding effect untilthe starting motor shaft has practically come to rest after the startingoperation, so as to avoid the usual tendency of the intermediate pinionto again move forward after the starting operation is finished and thusproduce a clashing effect.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part willappear more in detail hereinafter.

The invent-ion comprises the construction and arrangement of partshereinafter described and'claimed.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation showing theinvention applied to an'internal combustion engine; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3-3,Fig. 2, showing the parts in driving relation with the engine gear Fig.4 is a sectional elevation on the line 4-4, Fig. 2, showing the parts innormal or retracted position; Fig. 5 is a detail view of the innerclutch member, the

view being taken from the right in Fig. 2;" A

and Fig. 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the internal combustion engine,which may be of any suitable form, and the crank shaft of which (notshown) is connected to drive the usual fly wheel 2 equipped with teeth 3forming a large gear adapted for application of power to operate theinternal combustion engine for the starting operation The starting powermay come from any desired source. The drawings show for this purpose asuitable electric motor 4, the shaft 5 of which is provided with astarting pinion 6 rotatable therewith. On said shaft is mounted anoscillating or rocking frame 7.

having bearing portions 8 turning on shaft 5, said frame carrying ashort shaft 9 on which is rotatably mounted an intermediate pinion 10,The teeth of said pinion are exposed on that side facing the engine gear3, and said intermediate pinion 'has planetary motion about the axis ofshaft 5 and the pinion 6 into and out of mesh with the engine gear. 4Its normal position, when the parts are at rest, is as shown in Fig. 4,but

of arrow A, Fig. 4:, by connecting the electric motor to a source ofcurrent the torque of the starting motor turns the frame 7 with theshaft 5 and carries the intermediate pinion into meshing relation withthe engine] ing relation with the engine gear and re-' turns it to theposition shown in Fig. 4.

Planetary motion of. the intermediate pinion is caused or controlled bythe mechanism to be described. 11 represents a hollow casing, a sleeveportion 12 of which surrounds and is rotatable upon one of the bearingmembers, 8. The outer wall 13 of said casing is corrugated radially asshown in Fig. 6, to form a series of crcumferen-.

-B5 when the pinion 6 is rotated in the direction swinging with thebearing member 8. On

- the outer end of the shaft, is a longitudinally movable sleeve20provided with a diametrically extending pin 21 passing through anelongated slot 22 in the shaft, this arrangement serving to cause saidsleeve to rotate with the shaft. Said sleeve is provided with a nut 23serving as an abutment for one end of a compressionspring 24, the otherend of which abutsthe wall 13 of the hollow casing. Within said casingsleeve 20 is provided with a flange 25 having corrugated radiallyextending clutch teeth 26 co-operating with clutch teeth 14 and on itsopposite side said flange is provided with a series of projections 27lying opposite the inner faces or cam portions 28 of the weights on thelocking pawls 16. A projection 30 on the stationary frame co-operateswith stops. 31, 32 to limit the rocking movement of frame 7 toward andaway from the gear.

The operation is as follows:

Let, us assume the parts in normal position with the intermediate pinionout of mesh with the engine gear. The several pawls 16 swing freely ontheir respective pins and work somewhat after the manner of the pawls ina Hartshorn shade roller. At least one of said pawls therefore is inengagement with the teeth of ratchet 19. Spring 24 exerts its expansiveeffect upon the nut 23 and holds the clutch'teeth 14, 26 in engagementwith the rojections 27 out of range of the cam sur aces 28. In thiscondition, therefore, driving connection is established from the shaft5. through the sleeve 20 and clutch teeth 26, 14 to the casing 11 andfrom said casing through the pawls 16 and ratchet 19 to the rockingcasing 7. Consequently when the starting motor begins to rotate byconnecting the same to a source of cur-' rent the connection of themechanism described produces a drag or retarding effect, preventing therotation of pinion 10 upon its own axis and producing rocking motion ofthe frame 7 carry in the intermediate pinion in a planetary pat aboutthe axis of shaft 5 toward the engine gear.

Two conditions may now exist.

In the first condition the pinion 10 and gear 3 may be so related toeach other that their teeth more directly into mesh without interferingwith each other. If this happens the several gears engage and when fullmeshing relation is reached no further movement of the frame 7 can occurso that said frame becomes stationary and the other parts connected'tothe shaft 5 begin to ro tate. Usually the slightrotative effect when theshaft begins to rotate moves the pawls 16 by centrifugal action out ofengagement with the ratchet 19, but if such action should not occur thecasing 11 is held stationary and the teeth 26 begin to ratchet or slippast the teeth 14. The first such slipping effect 1 causes the sleeve 20to move longitudinally relative to shaft 5, or to the right in Fig. 2,and thereby moves the projections 27 into engaging relation with theprojections 18 tion between the pinion and gear. Inthe present instance,however, such engagement automatically prevents further rocking motionof the frame. 7. The clutch teeth 26, 14 thereupon slip past each otherand free the pawls 16 as before and allow the shaft 5 to continue itsrotation independently of the frame 7. This rotation immediately turnsthe pinion 10 about its own axis and rolls it into full meshing relationwith the gear 3, the further operation continuing in the same mannerbefore described.

Full meshing relation having been established' and the engine havingbeen turned over, it starts under its own power and the increased speedof rotation kicks out the intermediate pinion, thereby rocking the frame7 back to its original position. Said frame will have no tendency toagain advance and return the intermediate pinion to meshing relationwith the intermediate gear, because so long as the starting shaft 5continues to rotate the pawls 16 are held outwardly by the centrifugaleffect, but when the starting shaft 5 comes to rest then said pawls alsocome to rest and at least one thereof. drops into engagement with theratchet 19, the parts being then ready for another starting operation.

the said shaft, into and out of mesh with.

the gear, and means for retarding rotation of said intermediate pinlonabout its own axis to cause orbital movement thereof into meshingrelation with the gear, said means including a pawl and ratchetmechanism and relatively movable clutch members for controllin the same.

2. Startmg mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft, into and out'of mesh with the gear, and means forretarding rotation of said intermediate pinion about its own axis tocause orbital movement thereof into meshing relation with the gear, saidmeans including a clutch mechanism and a pawl and ratchet mechanism, andmeans for controlling said mechanism.

3. Starting mechanism for operative 'connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor,

i comprising a starting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, anintermediate pinion adapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move inan orbital path about the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear,and means for retarding rotation of said intermediate pinion about itsown axis to cause orbital movement thereof into meshing relation withthe gear, said means including a spring controlled clutch and a pawl anratchet. mechanism and means for controlling the same.

4. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving'pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft intoand out of' mesh with the gear, means forretarding rotation of said intermediate pinion about its own axis tocause orbital movement thereof into. meshing relation with the gear, andcentrifugal means con trolled by the operation of said starting shaftfor releasingthe intermediate pinion to rotate about its own axis uponsaid intermediate pinion being brought into mesh with the gear.

5. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprisingastarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinion adapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, and means forretarding rotation of said intermediate pinion about its own axis tocause orbital movement thereof into meshing relation with the gear, saidmeans including a pawl and ratchet mechanism and relatively movableclutch members for disengaging said pawl and ratchet for releasing theintermediate pinion to rotate about its own 6. Starting mechanism foroperative connection with a gear that is adapted to be driven by aninternal combustion motor, comprising a starting shaft carrying aprimary driving pinion, an intermediate pinion adapted to be driventhereby and adapted to move in an orbital path about the said shaft intoand out of mesh with the gear, and means for retarding rotation of saidintermediate pinion about its own axis to cause orbital movement thereofinto meshing relation with the gear, said means including a clutchmechanism, oneof said clutch members being adapted to effect release ofsaid intermediate pinion to rotate about its own axis upon saidintermediate pinion being brought into contact with the gear.

7 Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, and means forretarding rotation of said intermediate pinion about its own axis tocause orbital movement thereof into meshing relation with the-gear, saidmeans including a member adapted to move axially said member will effectrelease of said intermediate pinion to rotate about its own axis uponsaid intermediate pinion being brought into contact with the gear.

8. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a pri-' mary driving pinion, an intermediatepinion adapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbitalpath about the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, meansfOlJ'GtilIdlIlg rotation of said intermediate pinion about its own axisto "cause orbital movement thereof into meshing relation with the gear,means controlled by the rotation of said starting shaft for releasingthe intermediate pinion to rotate about its own axis. and means forinsuring initial operation of said last named means upon saidintermediate pinion being broughtinto contact with the gear.

' 9. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion. an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, meanstermediate pinion being brought into contact with the gear. 7

10. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear thatisadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, a

pawl and ratchet mechanism, one part of said mechanism having positiveoperative connection with said intermediate pinion,

the other member having operative connection with said primary pinion,and relatively movable clutch members 7 for controlling said mechanismwhereby there will be effected a retarding of the rotation of saidintermediate pinion about its own axis to cause orbital movement thereofinto meshing relation with the gear.

11. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, a pawl andratchet mechanism, one part of said mechanism having positive operativeconnection with said intermediate pinion, a yieldable connection betweenthe other memher of said mechanism and said starting shaft, and meansfor controlling said mechanismwhereby there will be effected a retardingof the rotation of said intermediate pinion about its own axis to causeorbital movement thereof into meshing engagement with the gear.

12. Starting mechanism for operative con nection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, a pawl andratchet mechanism. one part of said mechanism having positive operativeconnection with said intermediate pinion. a yieldable clutch connectionbetween the other part of said mechanism and said primary pinion,whereby the intermediate pinion will be retarded in its rotation aboutits own axis so as to cause orbital movement thereof into contact withthe gear, means carried by one of said clutch members and controlled bythe operation of said starting shaft for disengaging the pawl andratchet to effect release of said intermediate pinion upon contactthereof with the gear, whereby said intermediate pinion will rotateabout its own axis and transmit power to the gear.

13. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapt ed to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear,

a pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising centrifugal pawl members undercontrol of the operation of said starting shaft, said pawl and ratchettending tolock together said primary and intermediate pinions, wherebythe intermediate pinion will be retarded in rotation about its own axisso as to cause orbital movement thereof into con-.

tact with the gear, and means for insuring initial disengagement of saidpawls from said ratchet upon the intermediate pinion being brought intocontact with the gear.

14. Starting mechanism for operative con nection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven'thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, a pawl andratchet mechanism comprising centrifugal pawl members under control ofthe operation of said starting shaft, said pawl and ratchet mechanismhaving operative connection with, said intermediate pinion, clutch meansproviding operative connection between said pawl and ratchet meohanismand said primary pinion, said mechanisms constituting a lock betweensaid pinions whereby the intermediate pinion will be retarded in itsrotation about its own axis so as to cause orbital movement thereof intocontact with the gear, and means carried by one of said clutch membersand controlled by the operation of said startingshaft for effectinginitial disengagement of said pawls from said ratchet upon theintermediate pinion being brought into contact with the gear.

about said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear, pawl and ratchetconnection be tween said frame and primary pinion for retarding rotationof said intermediate pinion about its own axis to cause orbital movementthereof into meshing relation with the gear, and relatively movableclutch members for controlling said connection.

16. Starting mechanism for operative connection with a gear that isadapted to be driven by an internal combustion motor, comprising astarting shaft carrying a primary driving pinion, an intermediate pinionadapted to be driven thereby and adapted to move in an orbital pathabout the said shaft into and out of mesh with the gear,

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

STEPHEN JENCICK.

